Chapter 25 – Is It Wrong to Share a Room With an Ikemen?

This heat is brutal, even for June.

With every step, huge beads of sweat rolled down my body.

With backpacks on, like a bunch of middle schoolers, we members of the Go-Home Club were climbing a mountain.

When you think of mountains in Sasebo, you think of either Mt. Eboshi or Mt. Atago.

They’re the kind of mountains you’re usually forced to climb in elementary or middle school.

And now, as high school students, we were being forced to climb Mt. Eboshi—for the Go-Home Club’s training camp.

“Hey, where’s the teacher?”

Chifuyu, who had come up next to me, asked with a sweaty face.

“Matsumaru-sensei took the car.”

“What’s the deal with her making us climb this mountain while she gets to drive?”

“Don’t ask me.”

While our current situation was technically mountain climbing, it wasn’t all that grueling.

It’s a mountain even elementary schoolers can climb.

My stamina was totally fine, but the trail was so long that my feet were killing me.

My sister tried to climb while holding my hand, but partway up, she couldn’t keep up anymore. Probably because she just lazes around at home all the time.

Leading the pack was Hinami.

Apparently, she did gymnastics in middle school, and she’s still in great shape today. Her body wasn’t the type to get tired from a little climb up Mt. Eboshi.

“Aki-kun, wait…”

“Hang in there, Nee-san.”

“Okay… if you’re going to cheer me on that much… your big sister… will do her best… I promise…”

My sister was fading fast.

It’s not like she was so far behind we’d lose sight of her, so we kept our current pace.

And next to Chifuyu was our new club member—Shiromizu Shigure-kun.

He was as refreshing as ever, with no sign of sweat.

He could probably be moving much faster, but he was likely matching his pace to his girlfriend, Chifuyu.

The feeling I had for Shigure-kun was one of pure admiration.

Jealousy? Not a chance.

He’s handsome, he’s kind, his body seems kinda soft, and he smells good.

“Akira-kun, you’re quite the gentleman.”

“Huh?”

“It seems like you’re matching our walking speed.”

“Nah, this is my limit.”

“Oh, come on, you don’t have to be so considerate.”

If I tried to walk any faster, I wouldn’t be able to move at all once we reached our destination.

“Oof, there we go.”

Shigure-kun, who had been next to Chifuyu, quickly switched positions and came over to my side.

Now I was in a bizarre situation with Chifuyu on my right and Shigure-kun on my left.

Why am I stuck between a couple?

“Hey, Shigure?”

“It’s fine, isn’t it? I’m interested in Akira-kun, too.”

That sounds kinda gay.

But if Shigure-kun were to reach for my hand, I’d probably accept it without a second thought.

Just as I was thinking that—

“Gotcha.”

“Shigure-kun?”

He really did it. He laced his fingers through mine.

And he did it the way lovers do.

This is bad.

A BL plot development out of nowhere?!

Luckily, Chifuyu hasn’t noticed. As far as I know, Chifuyu isn’t a BL fan, so she’d probably be totally weirded out if she saw this.

“This is our little secret, okay?”

Shigure-kun whispered in my ear with a mischievous smile.

His hands were just as soft as I’d imagined, far more delicate and slender than my own.

Even though he was walking right next to me, I could smell a fresh orange scent. Maybe he sweats orange juice instead of sweat.

We arrived at the training camp location, the “Celestial Realm for Youth.”

We left after school—around 5 p.m.—so the sun was already starting to set.

This was a place where you could experience outdoor lodging activities. In fact, I’d been here for a three-day, two-night trip back in middle school.

Around the main building, there was a grassy field, a small forest, and a place for a campfire.

I think it’s the kind of facility that has everything we modern people, who are always glued to our smartphones, shouldn’t forget.

Our advisor, Matsumaru-sensei, was waiting for us with a cool expression on her face.

So she just took a leisurely drive up here.

I was pretty ticked off.

“Oh, you’re here earlier than I expected. Good work.”

“I don’t want to hear that from someone who came by car.”

“You’re cute even when you’re pouting, Akira-kun.”

If this person weren’t a teacher, and if she weren’t a woman, I would have decked her.

“Once Akira-kun’s sister gets here, that’ll be everyone.”

“Thanks, Shigure-kun. You’re more on top of things than the club president.”

You can have the job anytime.

“I think everyone’s tired today, so I’d like to just relax in our rooms.”

As expected of Shigure-kun.

His consideration is just another part of what makes him so handsome.

And just a little while ago, I was walking hand-in-hand with this handsome guy, our fingers laced together like lovers. Yeah, it’s about time I awakened to something new.

“You’re right. I’m tired from driving, too. I’ll go check on the rooms, so just wait here.”

With that, Matsumaru-sensei headed toward the reception desk.

Just as the teacher left, my sister arrived, a step behind everyone else.

“Aki-kun… I can’t…”

My sister collapsed against me, letting her body go limp.

She was really sweaty, so she smelled a little bit. Shigure-kun has way more of a girlish air about him.

Her body is about as soft as Shigure-kun’s, though.

“Let’s take a bath together.”

“Boys and girls are separate.”

“It’s fine, we’re siblings, right?”

“Still no.”

There was no way I was taking a bath with my sister.

We used to bathe together until middle school, but now I make sure to lock the door, so she can’t get in.

Matsumaru-sensei came back.

She noticed my sister had arrived and went over the plan.

“Alright, let’s all get a good rest in our rooms tonight and prepare for tomorrow’s activities. I bought bento boxes from the convenience store for dinner, so take whichever one you like.”

“What are the room assignments?” my sister asked with a grin.

“Good question. I have a room to myself, but the rest of you will have to share.”

“I want a two-person room with Aki-kun.”

“Boys and girls are separate. Even I have some common sense. Akira-kun and Shigure-kun will be in a two-person room, and the three girls will be in a three-person room.”

I see, a room for two with Shigure-kun. Why do I feel so weirdly self-conscious about this?

“Matsumaru-sensei?! Shigure is—”

“Chifuyu, you don’t have to worry. I’ll protect Akira-kun’s chastity.”

“Hey, Shigure, don’t just decide things on your own—”

“You’re so interesting, Chifuyu.”

Chifuyu argued back, her face bright red.

Does she have a problem with me and Shigure-kun sharing a room?

No, wait a minute…

I think when Chifuyu and I broke up, she said something about wanting to do more perverted stuff.

Does that mean she saw this training camp as her chance to cross that line with Shigure-kun?

If that’s the case, then I’m the one who has to protect Shigure-kun’s chastity.

“Chifuyu, as club president, I’m telling you: you are not allowed to assault Shigure-kun.”

“That’s not it! Shigure is a w—”

“—Akira-kun, let’s get to our room.”

Shigure-kun forcefully grabbed my arm and started dragging me toward the boys’ room.

“Shiromizu-kun, you make sure to protect my little brother’s chastity, you hear?”

“Of course, Akira-kun’s Nee-san.”

Apparently, my sister had entrusted me to Shigure-kun at some point.

The beautiful boy responded with a refreshing, handsome smile.

Seeing that smile, Hinami, who had been silent until now, spoke up as if she’d just realized something.

“Could you be—”

“Come on, Akira-kun, let’s go.”

Before I could hear what Hinami had to say, I was forcibly escorted to the room.

“We got pretty sweaty, huh?”

In the two-person room with a bunk bed, it was just me and Shigure-kun.

Our connection was Chifuyu.

Chifuyu’s current boyfriend and Chifuyu’s ex-boyfriend.

It sounds like it should be awkward, but surprisingly, we get along. Or maybe it’s just… comfortable.

I don’t really get it, but we’re already friends.

“It’s almost eight. You gonna eat?”

“Hmm, I’m not that hungry, actually.”

Shigure-kun sat down on the lower bunk and placed his bag on the floor.

Since there was nowhere else to sit, I sat down next to him.

This room had no TV, no chairs, and no refrigerator. Just a bed and a desk.

The perfect environment for forging the modern soul.

“Well then, shall we take a bath?”

“Huh? Together?”

The last time I took a bath with another guy was on my third-year middle school trip.

It almost feels nostalgic.

“It’s lonely by myself. If you don’t mind, I’ll even wash your back for you.”